Florida boat capsizes, leaving 1 dead; Coast Guard suspends search for 3 others

The tragic incident that took place on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, has left the Coast Guard with a heavy heart. On Saturday evening, just before 7 p.m., the search for three passengers, including an adult and two children, was suspended after their boat capsized near Goat Island. Tragically, one person was found dead as a result of the accident.

The distress call came in around 7 p.m. on Friday, alerting the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville of an 18-foot vessel that had capsized with four people on top of the overturned boat and four others trapped underneath. The four individuals on top of the boat were rescued, but unfortunately, none of the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time.

Over the course of 17 hours, the Coast Guard conducted an extensive search covering 270 square miles. Despite their efforts, no sign of the missing passengers was found, leading to the difficult decision to suspend the search until new information arises.

Lt. Cmdr. Barton Nanney, a Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville search and rescue mission coordinator, expressed his condolences to the families of the missing individuals. The collaborative efforts of the Coast Guard, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were acknowledged for their relentless support during the search and rescue operation.

Despite the rescue of the four individuals on top of the vessel by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office marine unit, one person was tragically recovered from the water unresponsive. The Coast Guard’s attempts to reach the individuals reportedly trapped underneath the boat were unsuccessful, and divers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were unable to locate anyone.

As the investigation into the cause of the capsizing continues, the community mourns the loss of one individual whose age has not been disclosed by officials. The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department has been contacted for further information on the incident.

Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy as we await more details on the circumstances surrounding the capsizing. The Coast Guard remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals on the water, and efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future are ongoing.